Stay warm, stay healthy: Help on hand for Stockton-on-Tees Residents this winter
A scheme to offer support for Stockton-on-Tees' most vulnerable residents throughout the winter months is returning.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Warm Homes, Healthy People scheme provides practical support to help vulnerable residents stay warm in winter, maximise their income and reduce heating bills.
More than 2,600 households across the Borough have benefited from the scheme and last year over £531,000 of previously unclaimed entitlements were secured for the Borough's most at-risk households.
Residents aged over 75 years, people in receipt of a disability benefit, those who have a long term illness made worse by the cold or those who live with a child under five who have a long term illness made worse by the cold, are eligible.
Residents can get help with:
- Emergency heating
- Energy debt advice and welfare benefits advice and assistance
- Home handyman service
- Cold weather advice and support
- Warm Homes Healthy People eligible residents who are home owners and in receipt of qualifying benefits can request a boiler service or heating breakdown
Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: "As the winter approaches and temperatures drop the risk of illnesses like flu, pneumonia, hypothermia, stroke and heart attack increases. The cold weather can also make long term and existing health conditions worse -that's why it is vital that people get the help they need to keep warm.
"Thousands of households who are vulnerable to the effects of the winter months have benefited in the past so I am very happy to announce that Warm Homes, Healthy People is running again this winter to support those most in need."
To find out more about the scheme visit Energy saving schemes or call 01642 528215.